Mother Jones: Was Huntsman Involved in His Family Firm's Price-Fixing Case?
"In the early going, Jon Huntsman's soon-to-be-official presidential campaign has been characterized chiefly by a couple notable no-shows: his decisions not to compete in the uber-conservative Iowa caucus or take part in Monday's GOP presidential debate in New Hampshire. But despite his best efforts to sidestep scrutiny, the opposition research squad at American Bridge 21st Century—a new Democratic political action group, which was profiled by Andy Kroll last month—has uncovered this gem: Huntsman International—a multinational plastics company founded by Huntsman's father—recently agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging that it broke antitrust laws by fixing the price of urethane chemicals from 1999 to 2004. The suit was filed in by several of Huntsman's competitors, reports the Associated Press."
Huntsman Refuses To Sign Pledges…Except When He Signs Pledges
Huntsman: “I Don't Sign Pledges -- Other Than The Pledge Of Allegiance And A Pledge To My Wife.” According to The Hill, "Jon Huntsman explain[ed] why he won't sign any of the growing number of pledges; 'I don't sign pledges -- other than the Pledge of Allegiance and a pledge to my wife.' Huntsman said. He says he told [South Carolina Senator Jim] DeMint 'You just have to understand that's where I come down.'" [The Hill, 7/12/11] More research after the jump
The Hill: FDA slams Republican 'hard science' amendment
On June 6, 2011, The Hill's Healthwatch reported:
A Republican amendment adopted last week by House appropriators could weaken efforts to protect the public from unsafe drugs, tobacco, lead-filled candy and even tainted blood, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday in several documents. The amendment, from Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), would restrict the kind of information regulators use when making their decisions. The amendment cleared the Appropriations Committee last week.
Think Progress: Romney Proposed Jail For Abortion Providers, Now Says No One Ever Talked About Criminal Sanctions
On June 3, 2011, Think Progress reported:
"With each step in this campaign, repeat GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney walks further away from the principles he once held. Quickly joining climate change, immigration, and health carein the grave on his progressive principles is his pro-choice stance.
The Hill: Sen. Lugar calls for 'fair tax' in web video
On June 2, 2011, The Hill reported:
Indiana Sen. Dick Lugar (R) said outlined his support for the so-called fair tax in a web video released to supporters on Thursday. Lugar said he'd support tax reforms that abolish the IRS and replace the federal income tax with a national retail sales tax. There is currently legislation based on the fair tax plan pending in Congress, but observers say it has little chance of becoming law.
POLITICO: Akin invokes Joplin tornado to attack McCaskill
On June 2, 2011, POLITICO reported:
You'd think of all things, the Joplin, Mo. tornado that took 134 lives might be spared from partisan politics. But Rep. Todd Akin is invoking the historic twister in a fundraising email against Democrat Claire McCaskill -- a eye-raising move that is making even some Republicans uncomfortable as the clean-up continues in southwest Missouri.
Boston Globe: Small-scale donations dwindling for Brown
On may 31, 2011, the Boston Globe reported:
The torrent of small campaign contributions from around the country that flooded GOP Senator Scott Brown’s campaign coffers ahead of his special election last year has all but dried up, as the excitement generated by his campaign has faded and some of his votes have disillusioned rank-and-file conservatives.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Todd Akin votes in Town and Country, but does he live there?
On May 31, 2011, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported: Akin's office says he lives in Wildwood. Tax documents show Akin…
POLITICO: Iraq, Iran…
On May 26, 2011, POLITICO reported:
A trail goof for Pawlenty, who fielded a question on Iran policy with an answer on Iraq policy in a video sent over by the new Democratic group American Bridge, in what seems to be its first tracking hit:Transcript after the jump.
POLITICO: American Bridge: Democrats' new oppo shop
If you’re wondering where all the footage for Democratic attack ads will come from, look no further. For 2012, American Bridge will be the Democrats’ unofficial opposition research wing.